Traversing the international Bielsa Tunnel in the Pyrenees
France, europe
3.07 km
1,820 m
moderate
Year-round
# Tunel Bielsa-Aragnouet: A High-Alpine Crossing
Ready for some serious Pyrenean adventure? The Tunel Bielsa-Aragnouet is your ticket to crossing from Spain into France at a breathtaking 1,820m elevation. This 3.07km tunnel has been connecting the charming villages of Bielsa (Spain) and Aragnouet (France) since 1976, and it's completely toll-free.
**The Spanish Approach**
Coming from the Spanish side? You'll take the A138, a fully paved road that starts in Salinas and climbs 21km with 1,028m of elevation gain (averaging 4.9%). It's a steady, manageable ascent that rewards you with stunning mountain vistas.
**The French Approach**
The French side tells a different story. The D173 from Saint Lary Soulan is 18.93km long with 1,000m of elevation gain (5.3% average), but heads up—the road surface isn't quite as pristine as the Spanish side. Watch out for that gnarly 11.8% maximum gradient in places.
**What to Know Before You Go**
The tunnel itself is two lanes and mostly straightforward for cars, though trucks and buses alternate directions (plus there's a 4.3m height restriction). The best part? This route stays open year-round, though you might face 7-10 days of winter closures when avalanche risk gets serious. Just avoid the tunnel if you're hauling hazardous materials.
Where is it?
Traversing the international Bielsa Tunnel in the Pyrenees is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 47.2072, 3.3860
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 3.07 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,820 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 47.2072, 3.3860
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